Reamer cutter mounting



Nov. 29, 1938. HOWARD ET AL 2,138,007

REAMER CUTTER MOUNTING Filed June 15,1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I Patented Nov. 29, v v I 7 v I UNITED STATES FATENT fOFFICE) KRAMER CU'I'I'ER. MOUNTING John E. Howard and Philip C. Efromson, Whittier, Calit; said Efromson assignor to Globe Oil Tools Company, Dos Nietos, Calif., a corporation of California Application June 15, 1937, Serial No. 148,297

10 Claims. (Cl. 255-73) This invention relates to well drilling tools and view illustrating one of the supporting pins and relates more particularly to mountings for the the adjacent parts. Fig. 4 is a view similar to cutters of well reamers. A general object of the Fig. 2 illustrating a modified form of the inveninvention is to provide practical, dependable and tion and Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary ele- 5 effective anti-friction mountings for the roller vation view of a block and a wedge of the struc- 5 cutters of well reamers. ture illustrated in Fig. 4.

Another object of this invention is to provide The cutter mounting of the present invention a mounting for a roller cutter of a well reamer may be employed to rotatably support the cutters in which the end thrusts in both directions on the of well tools of various characters. In the folcutter are transmitted by anti-friction bearing lowing detailed description we will describe two 10 elements. typical forms of the invention employed to ro- Another object of this invention is to provide tatably support the roller cutters of a well a cutter mounting of the character mentioned in reamer. It is to be understood that the invention which the radial thrusts on the cutter are taken is not to be construed as limited or restricted to or transmitted by anti-friction rollers and the the specific forms or applications of the invention end thrusts are transmitted by balls, the rollers about to be described but is to be taken as includproviding the required support throughout subing any features or modifications that may fall stantial portions of the length of the cutter and within the scope of the claims.

the balls transmitting the end thrusts with a A well reamer illustrated in the drawings in- 30 minimum of friction. cludes a body or shank Ill having a socket II in Another object of this invention is to provide one end and a threaded pin it on its other end a cutter mounting of the character mentioned in for facilitating its connection in the well drillwhich a single row or series of balls assumes the ing string. The shank i0 is provided with an end thrusts in both directions, thus greatly simenlarged intermediate portion l3 of substantially plifying the construction and leaving ample space triangular horizontal cross section. Vertical or 25 for long rollers which assume the radial thrusts. longitudinally extending pockets ll are provided Another object of the invention is to provide a in the apices of the triangular portion iii. The cutter mounting of the character mentioned empockets H are provided to receive the reaming bodying novel and very effective means for supcutters and their upper and lower walls I 5 are porting the cutter bearing on the body or shank preferably flat and substantially horizontal. A 30 of the tool. central longitudinal fluid passage l6 extends Another object of this invention is to provide through the shank Ill from one end to the other a cutter mounting of the character mentioned in to conduct the circulation fluid. which the means for mounting the cutter bearing A reaming cutter I1 is provided in each pocket on the tool shank is such that the cutter with its ll. The cutters I! are generally cylindrical and bearing may be mounted on the shank and reare of substantial length. Central longitudinal moved therefrom as a unit. openings l8 extend through the cutters l1 and A further object of this invention is to provide the upper and lower ends IQ of the cutters are a cutter mounting means of the character menpreferably flat. The cutter openings l8 may be tioned in which the bearing and the cutter may of uniform diameter with the exception of a 40 be assembled at the place of manufacture and single race in each cutter opening, as will be shipped and handled as a unit without danger hereinafter described. The lower portions of the of loss or displacement of any of the parts. cutters I! are tapered and suitable axially ex- The various objects and features of our inventending cutting teeth 20 are provided on the (5 tion will be fully understood from the following cutters to act on the earth formation at the side detailed description of typical preferred forms wall of the well bore. The means or mountings and applications of the invention, throughout for mounting the several cutters Il may be which description reference is made to the acidentical. We will proceed with a detailed decompanying drawings, in which: scription of the mounting for one of the cutters 60 Fig.1 is a side elevation of a reamer embodying I1, it being understood that this description is one form of the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged equally applicable to the mountings of the other vertical fragmentary detailed sectional view of cutters. the reamer illustrated in Fig. 1 showing one of The improved cutter mounting of the present the cutters and its mounting means. Fig. 3 is an invention comprises, generally, detachably conenlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional nected shaft members or bearing members 2i ex- 55 l tending through the opening I! of the cutter l1, sets of rollers 22 cooperating with the members 2| and the wall of the cutter opening I! to support the cutter against radial thrusts, a set of balls 23 cooperating with the members 2| and the cutter l1 to support the cutter against end thrusts and means 24 cooperating with the members 2| to support the same where the cutter I1 is rotatable in a pocket M.

The shaft members or bearing members 2| are adapted to be connected to constitute the cutter supporting pin or shaft. The members 2| are elongate substantially. cylindrical members and are alike or complementary. There are two members 2| of substantially the same diameter and the members are receivable in the cutter opening IS with suitable clearance. The adjacent inner ends of the two members 2| are releasably or detachably connected. A socket 25 of reduced diameter is provided in the inner end of one member 2| and an extension or pin 26 is provided on the inner end of the other member 2| and is threaded in the socket 215 to connect the two members. The pin 26 threaded in the socket 25 connects the two members 2| so that their inner ends are in abutment. The members 2| are preferably of equal length and the aggregate length of the members is equal to or slightly greater than the length of the cutter l1 so that the outer ends of the members 2| are at or adjacent the ends IQ of the cutters l1. The outer ends of the bearing members 2| may be flat.

The sets of rollers 22 are arranged between or cooperate with the members 2| and the wall of the cutter opening I6 to transmit the radial thrusts between the cutter l1 and the members. In the preferred construction there are two longitudinally spaced sets of rollers 22, it being understood that there may be a greater number of sets of shorter rollers provided if desired. Each hearing member 2| has an annular depression or circumferential groove 21 spaced between its ends to receive a set of rollers 22. The grooves 21 are of substantial length and the two grooves are preferably equally spaced from the central transverse axis of the cutter H. An annular set or series of rollers 22 is provided in each groove 21. The rollers 22 are of substantial length to have extensive longitudinal engagement with the wall of the cutter opening l8 and the inner walls of the grooves 21. The ends of the rollers 22 may cooperate with the end walls of the grooves 21 to limit the endwise movement of the rollers. It will be understood how the longitudinally spaced sets of rollers 21 effectively and dependably transmit the radial operating thrust between the cutter l1 and the bearing members 2 The row or set of balls 23 is provided to transmit the end thrust between the cutter I1 and the bearing members 2|. It is a feature of the invention that there may be a single circumferential row or series of balls 23. The row of balls 23 is spaced substantially midway between the opposite ends IQ of the cutter. l1. An annular race or groove 28 of partially cylindrical cross section is provided inthe wall of the cutter opening l8 midway between the ends of the cutter l1 to cooperate with or partially receive the balls 23. An annular groove 23 of partially cylindrical cross section is formed in the assembly of the two members 2| to directly oppose the groove 28. In practice the groove 23 has substantially equal portions in the abutting inner ends or corners of the members 2|. The grooves 26 and 23 may both be of substantial depth so that the two grooves are adapted to substantially entirely receive the balls 23. It will be apparent how the balls 23 cooperating with the grooves 28 and 29 effectively transmit the end thrusts in both directions between the cutter I1 and the members 2| with a minimum of friction. It is important to note that only a single set of balls 23 is required for the transmission of the operating end thrusts in both directions. Further, it will be observed that the balls 23 cooperating with the grooves 23 and 29 prevent longitudinal separation or displacement of the cutter H from the bearing members 2| when the assembly of the cutter and its bearing parts is separate or detached from the reamer. Y

The means 24 for supporting or mounting the bearing members 2| supports the same on the shank 0 'where the cutter I1 is in its proper operative position in a pocket H. The means 24 is characterized by its simplicity and dependability. In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, of the drawings, the means 24 includes screws 30 threaded in vertical or longitudinal openings 3| in the shank portion l3. The openings 3| extend from the ends of the shank portion |3 to the upper and lower walls I5 of the pocket l4 and the openings are in vertical or longitudinal alignment. The screws 30 are threaded in the openings 3| to have portions project into the pockets 4 to cooperate with the bearing members 2|. In the particular construction illustrated in the drawings the screws 30 and the openings 3| have self-locking threads 32 of the Dardelet type whereby the screws are locked against loss or loosening when sufllcient stress is placed on them, as will be hereinafter described. It is to be understood that the screws 30 may be locked in place by other suitable means, if desired. Reduced polygonal heads 33 may be provided on the outer ends of the screws 30 to facilitate their turning or threading with a suitable wrench. The heads 33 are preferably entirely within the openings 3|.

The means 24 further includes cooperating tapered plug parts and sockets on the screws 30 and members 2| whereby the screws 30 support the members 2| and hold the members against movement and turning. In the construction illustrated in the drawings a tapered plug part 35 is provided on the inner end of each screw 30. The plug parts 35 are integral with the screws 30 and are preferably frusto-conical, having flat inner ends. The outer ends of the bearing members 2| have central tapered sockets 36 for receiving the plug parts 35. The cooperation of the plug parts 35 with the sockets 36 definitely locates the bearing members 2| and prevents shifting and turning of the members whereby the cutter I1 is dependably supported on the shank Ill. Polygonal sockets 31 may continue inwardly from the inner ends of the sockets 36 to receive wrenches for threading the members 2| together and for disconnecting the members. The pitch of the surfaces of the plug parts 35 and the walls of the sockets 36 is such that the cooperation of the parts with the sockets securely holds the members 2| against shifting and against rotation. With the plug parts 35 in cooperation with the sockets 36 the members 2| are supported where their ends l9 are clear of the end walls l5 of the pocket l4 and the ends ll! of the cutter U have suitable clearance with the end walls of the pockets.

In assembling a cutter H on the shank III a set of rollers 22 is first assembled in the groove 21 of one of the members 2| and the member carrying its rollers is then inserted in the cutter opening I6. The balls 23 are then dropped in the open end of the opening l6 and when a sufiicient number of balls has been dropped in, the member 2| is moved to a position where the balls are received in the groove or race 28.

inner ends into abutment and completes the race or groove 29, which cooperates with the balls 23. The balls 23 cooperating with the grooves 28 and 29 serve to prevent relative longitudinal movement between the cutter l1 and the connected members 2| so that the several parts of the assembly are retained in their proper positions.

To mount the assembly on the shank III the screws 30 are backed out of the pocket I4 and the cutter I1 is arranged in its approximate position in the pocket. The screws 30 are then threaded inwardly to have their plug parts 35 cooperate with the sockets 36. The screws 3|] may be threaded to positions where the cutter I1 is mounted in its proper position in the pocket M. The tightening down of the screws 30 to force their plug parts 35 into tight engagement with the walls of the sockets 36 dependably prevents shifting of the connected mem-.

bers 2| and the rotation of the members 2| so that the cutter I1 is dependably mounted in the pocket l4. Tightening down of the screws 30 also causes automatic binding or locking of the self-locking threads 32. i

In the operation of the reamer the cutter |1 cooperates with the side wall of the well bore and rotates about its own axis. The rollers 22 have extensive or long engagement with the wall of the cutter opening l8 and with the walls of the grooves 21 to efiectively transmit the radial thrusts between the cutter and the members 2|. The balls 23 cooperating with the grooves 28 and 29 transmit the end thrusts in both directions between the cutter l1 and the members 2|. The balls 23 transmit these end thrusts with a minimum of friction. It will be understood how the cutter i1 and its bearing elements may be easily removed from the shank ||l for repair and replacement by backing off the screws 30.

Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings illustrate a modified form of the invention in which the bearing members 2| are supported by blocks. The cutter H, the bearing members 2|, the rollers 22 and the balls 23 may be the same as in the previously described form of the invention. In the construction illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings the portion |3 of the shank has vertical or longitudinal grooves 40 communicating with the opposite ends of the pocket H. A shiftable block 4| is arranged in each groove 4|). The blocks 4| are shiftable vertically or longitudinally in the grooves 40 and have vertical slots 42. Screws 43 are passed through the slots 42 and are threaded into openings 53 in the shank i0. Round or cylindrical heads 44 are provided on the screws 43 and are adapted to clamp against shoulders 45 at the mouths of the slots 42. Tapered plug parts 46 are provided on the blocks 4| to cooperate with the sockets 36 in the bearing members 2|. The plug parts 46 may be similar to or identical with the plug parts 35, described above.

Wedge means are provided for urging the blocks 4| toward the outer ends of the members 2| to eifect the proper cooperation of the plug parts 46 with the sockets 36. A wedge 41 is arranged in the outer part of each groove 46. The wedges 41 are adapted to engage between the outer ends of the blocks 4| and the outer walls of the grooves 40. The outer ends 44 of the bocks 4| are tapered or inclined and the wedges 41 have correspondingly inclined faces cooperating with the ends 46. Screws 49 are passed inwardly through openings 50 in the wedges 41 and are threaded into openings 6| in the shank Ill. The heads of the screws 49 are preferably received in the outer portions of the openings 50.

When the assembly of a cutter l1 and its bearing elements is to be mounted in the pocket M the blocks 4| may be moved to retracted positions so that their plug parts 46 are clear of the pocket. The assembly of the cutter and its bearing elements is arranged in place in the pocket l4 and the blocks 4| are moved to positions where their plug parts 46 are received in the sockets 36. The screws 43 are threaded in the openings 53 and left in a loosened condition to allow shifting of the blocks 4|. The wedges 41 are then entered in the outer portions of the grooves 46 and the screws 49 are tightened down. Tightening down of the screws 49 brings the wedges 41 into wedging cooperation with the inclined ends 48 of the blocks 4| and the wedges urge the blocks inwardly toward the ends of the cutter l1 so that the plug parts 46 are tightly forced into the sockets 36. The screws 43 are then tightened down. The plug parts 46 cooperating with the sockets 36 dependably hold the bearing members 2| in position and prevent rotation of the bearing members.

Having described only typical preferred forms and. applications of our invention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. A well reamer comprising an elongate shank, an elongate roller cutter having a longitudinal opening, a supporting element extending through the opening from one end of the cutter to the other, means engaging the opposite ends of the element and supporting the element in substantially parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the shank, a single anti-friction bearing transmitting end thrusts in both directions from the cutter to the element, and bearing means transmitting the radial thrusts from the cutter to the element.

2. A well reamer including a shank, an elongate roller cutter having a longitudinal opening, a supporting element extending through the opening from one end to the other, means engaging the opposite ends of the element and removably supporting the element in a substantially vertical position on the shank, a single anti-friction bearing cooperating with the element and the interior of the cutter substantially midway between the ends of the cutter and transmitting end thrusts in both directions from the cutter to the element, and bearing means transmitting the radial thrusts from the cutter to the element.

A well reamer including a shank, an elongate roller cutter having a longitudinal opening, a supporting element extending through the opening from one end to the other, means engaging the opposite ends of the element and removably supporting the element in a substantially vertical position on the shank, a single row of balls transmitting end thrusts in both directions from the cutter to the element, and bearing means transmitting the radial thrusts from the cutter to the element.

4. A well reamer comprising a shank, an elongate roller cutter having an opening, a supporting element extending through the opening from one end of the cutter to the other, means removably supporting the ends of the element on the shank, the wall of the opening and the element having a pair of opposing ball races, balls in the races transmitting end thrusts in both directions between the cutter and the element, and sets of rollers at opposite sides of the races cooperating with the wall of the opening and the element and transmitting radial thrusts between the cutter and element.

5. A well reamer comprising a' shank, a roller cutter having an opening, a supporting element extending through the opening from one end to the other, means removably supporting the opposite ends of the element on the shank'so that the element is substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the shank, the wall of the opening and the element having a pair of opposing ball races substantially midway between the ends of the cutter, balls in the recess transmitting end thrusts in both directions between the cutter and the element, and sets of rollers at opposite sides of the races cooperating with the wall of the opening and the element and transmitting radial thrusts between the cutter and element.

6. A well teamer comprising, a shank, a roller cutter having a longitudinal opening, two threadedly connected members in the opening, a single row of balls cooperating with the interior of the cutter and the connected members transmitting end thrusts in both directions between the cutter and the members, rollers cooperating with the interior of the cutter and the members transmitting the radial thrusts between the cutter and the members, and means mounting the ends of the assembly of the members on the shank.

7. A well reamer comprising, a shank, a roller cutter having a longitudinal opening, there being a ball race in the wall of the opening 'between the ends of the cutter, two shaft members, one entering each end of the opening, means threadedly connecting the inner ends 01' the members, there being grooves in the inner portions of the members Joining to form a ball race which opposes the first mentioned race, a series of balls in the races transmitting end thrusts in both directions between the cutter and the members, and means supporting the outer ends of the members on the shank.

8. A well reamer comprising, a shank, a roller cutter having a longitudinal opening, there being a ball" race in the wall of the opening between the ends of the cutter, two shaft members, one entering each end of the opening, means threadedly connecting the inner ends of the members, there being grooves in the inner portions of the members joining to form a ball race which opposes the first mentioned race, a series of balls in the races transmitting end thrusts in both directions between the cutter and the members, each member having a groove, rollers in grooves cooperating with the wall of the opening and transmitting the radial thrusts between the cutters and the members, and means supporting the outer ends of the members on the shank.

9. A well reamer comprising a shank having a pocket, a roller cutter having a longitudinal opening, and means for rotatably supporting the cutter in the pocket including two elements, one a cutter support extending through the opening, the other a member shittably secured to the shank, there being a tapered socket in one element, a plug part on the other element cooperating with the socket, and means for shifting the said member on the shank to eflect engagement and disengagement of the plug part and socket, the last mentioned means including a wedge cooperable with the said member, and a screw for setting the member in adjusted position.

10. A well reamer comprising a shank having a pocket, a roller cutter having a longitudinal opening, and means for rotatably supporting the cutter in the pocket including two elements, one a cutter support extending through the opening, the other a member shiitably secured to the shank, there being a tapered socket in one element, a plug part on the other element cooperating with the socket, and means for shifting the said member on the shank to eflect engagement and disengagement oi. the plug part and socket, the last mentioned means including a wedge cooperable with said member.

JOHN H. HOWARD. PmLIP C. EFROMSON. 

